NACC Lagos Legacy Project seeks a permanent US-Nigeria commercial diplomacy hub to boost trade and investment in Lagos

The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce has presented an ambitious proposal to the Lagos State Government for the establishment of a permanent centre dedicated to United States-Nigeria commercial diplomacy in Lagos.

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The proposal, known as the NACC Lagos Legacy Project, was formally unveiled during a high-level courtesy visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Lagos House, Marina.

Leading the delegation, the National President of the chamber, Sheriff Balogun, described the initiative as a defining legacy project that would serve as the institutional hub for Nigeria-US commercial relations for decades.

According to Balogun, the chamber’s historical roots in Lagos make the state the natural location for such a strategic project, noting that the organisation was founded in Lagos in 1960, the same year Nigeria attained independence.

“Lagos is not where NACC is located. Lagos is where NACC was born,” he said.

The chamber explained that the proposed headquarters would become a major destination for American trade delegations, multinational corporations and commercial missions seeking business opportunities in Nigeria.

Balogun said the NACC Lagos Legacy Project would further strengthen Lagos’ reputation as Nigeria’s commercial capital while creating jobs and stimulating sectors such as hospitality, transportation, technology, tourism and event management.

He added that the project aligns with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus development agenda, especially in areas relating to foreign direct investment, entrepreneurship and economic expansion.

The chamber also said the initiative would position Lagos more competitively among leading African commercial centres including Nairobi, Kigali, Johannesburg, Cairo and Accra.

As part of its request, the chamber asked the Lagos State Government to allocate a 5,000 square metre parcel of land under a concessionary long-term lease arrangement.

The organisation also requested accelerated planning approvals and official backing to facilitate discussions with international financial institutions, including the U.S.

Trade and Development Agency, Export–Import Bank of the United States, African Export-Import Bank, and the African Development Bank.

Balogun clarified that the chamber was not seeking direct financial support from the state government for the construction of the project.

“What we ask of Lagos State is the foundation upon which the building will stand, both literally and institutionally,” he stated.

In recognition of the proposed partnership, the chamber disclosed plans to confer the title of Honorary Life Patron of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce on Governor Sanwo-Olu.

The proposed flagship hall within the project is also expected to be named “Babajide Sanwo-Olu Hall.”

Responding, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the engagement as productive and focused on strengthening commercial opportunities and improving the ease of doing business in Lagos.

“I received the Governing Council of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce led by Sheriff Balogun at Lagos House, Marina, where we discussed improving business opportunities and strengthening partnerships for economic growth,” the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu also appreciated the chamber for the honour bestowed on him and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening Nigeria-US commercial ties.

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Established in 1960, the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce remains Nigeria’s oldest bilateral chamber of commerce and serves as a major institutional bridge between Nigerian and American private sector interests.